NAPS Chat: Recent Episodes
Bob Levi
NAPS Chat is a weekly podcast intended to inform NAPS members and others interested in the U.S. Postal Service about the latest legislative and political goings-on within our nation’s capital. Hosted by NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi.
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Chairman Michael Kubayanda joins Bob to discuss last month's Senate oversight hearing on the Postal Service, as well as the Commission's regulatory activities relating the Postal Service's "Delivering for America" plan. As part of their conversation, Mike and Bob talk about the PRC's insistence that the USPS request a PRC Advisory Opinion on the plan. On May 16, about 3 hours after the episode taped, the USPS filed its refusal to make such a request at this time.
Federal News Network Reporter Jory Heckman joins Bob to discuss the April 16, 2024, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee postal oversight hearing, at which Postmaster General DeJoy, USPS Board of Governors Chair Martinez, PRC Chair Kubayanda and Postal IG Hull testified about the implementation of the "Delivering for America" plan. The committee focused on the impact that plan had on postal performance and finances. Jory covers the "postal beat" for the Federal News Network, which is picked up nationwide.
On behalf of the approximately 47,000 postal supervisors, supervisors and postmasters represented by NAPS, NAPS President Ivan Butts provided testimony that was included for the record.
NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to talk about the recently concluded 2024 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar and Lobbying Days on Capitol Hill. Chuck and Bob discuss the new legislative tools deployed at the conference, issues that members of Congress brought to the attention of NAPS activists, and a critical Postal Inspector General Audit Report relating to the establishment of a new regional processing and distribution center in Richmond, VA.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, joins Bob to talk about the current state of the U.S. Postal Service, as we approach the second anniversary of the Postal Reform Act's enactment into law. At the time of the legislation's development and enactment, Rep. Connolly served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, the panel with jurisdiction over the Postal Service. The congressman and Bob discuss postal performance and accountability, and what's the next step to ensure the agency remains vital.
Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), joins Bob at the 2024 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar. The chat, which was recorded live before approximately 500NAPS legislative advocates attending the Washington legislative conference, covered the importance of measuring postal performance, the necessity of constructive congressional oversight of the Postal Service, the Postal Service's transition to package delivery, and the new-reality of the Postal Service being "mostly" self-sustaining. Dr. Kosar, in addition to being a scholar at the AEI, was formerly the Congressional Research Service's resident expert on the Postal Service.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, joins Bob to discuss the role of Congressional oversight in USPS operations, his postal priorities and how the Postal Service is viewed by his colleagues.
Former member of Congress Connie Morella (R-MD) joins Bob to reminisce about the days during which the House of Representatives acted with civility and labored on legislation important to the federal and postal workforce. During her 8 terms in Congress, Rep. Morella served on the House Postal Office and Civil Service Committee, and its successor, the House Committee on Government Reform. As a member of these two committees, Connie championed the interests of the postal and federal community.
Freshman member of Congress Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) joins Bob to reflect on her first year in the House of Representatives and to share her views on a number of postal and federal employee-related issues. In addition, Rep. Budzinski discusses her past experience in the labor movement and as a member of the Biden White House.
On this, the 200th episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Staff Vice President for Policy and Programs John Hatton joins Bob to discuss crucial challenges and potential legislation relating to postal and retiree benefits in 2024. Also, Bob touches upon postal first-class on time performance during the current peak mail season, and congressional and regulatory reaction to it.
National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss important legislative and Postal Service operational issues that deeply concern key members of Congress. Among the items discussed is legislation introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which strives to better protect postal employees from escalating assaults while delivering the mail and to safeguard postal assets. In addition, Bob and Chuck talk about mounting congressional and USPS Board of Governors' concern about falling on-time first-class mail performance across the nation, testimony offered to the House Ways and Means Committee by former NAPS President Louis Atkins and current NAPS Auxiliary Secretary Treasurer Bonita Atkins regarding the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, and the upcoming 2024 NAPS legislative conference in Washington.
The "open season" for choosing a Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) option runs from November 13 thru December 12. The choices are numerous and stakes are high. For the fifth year in a row, Bob is being joined by Jay Fritz, the Office of Personnel Management executive tasked with coordinating the FEHBP open season. Jay and Bob discuss what's new for active and retired postal and federal employees in the FEHBP environment. In addition, they discuss what's driving premium increases and benefit changes.
A few weeks ago, Mark Action left the Postal Regulatory Commission with two decades of engagement with the postal community under his belt. Over a cup of coffee at local Washington, DC, coffee house, Mark shares with Bob his reflections about serving on the PRC and the agency's importance to ensure transparency, accountability and performance.
It appeared that the Statute of Freedom, which is sits atop the Capitol, needed scaffolding to stabilize it in the wake of the U.S. House of Representatives’ shutdown, resulting from the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob discusses the “House shutdown,” the overwhelming passage of a temporary government funding bill that sealed McCarthy’s fate, Senate confirmation of Robert Taub and Thomas Day to the Postal Regulatory Commission, a recent Postal Inspector General report on mail theft, and two pending U.S. Supreme Court cases that may have implications for the Postal Service, as well as other federal agencies.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Smithsonian Institution Postal Museum Curator Lynn Heidelbaugh joins Bob to talk about U.S. mail transportation. One of the major components of the Delivering for American Plan is shifting from air transport to ground movement of letters and packages. Moving the Mail, is an ongoing exhibit at the National Postal Museum, which traces the evolution of mail transport. So, it would instructive to examine the reasons for different modes of mail movement. In addition, Bob talks about the nomination of former USPS Senior Vice President of Government Relations Thomas Day to the Postal Regulatory Commission and his recent confirmation hearing.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Government Executive columnist and founder of "Retire Federal" Tammy Flanagan joins Bob to talk about the growing number of USPS retirees who seek post-retirement employment. Tammy and Bob talk about issues that such retirees ought to consider when embarking on an "encore career." Bob also shares news relating to the September 7 Senate confirmation hearing of PRC Commissioner Robert Taub, and regulatory updates relating to the Delivering for America plan
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Postal Commerce Michael Plunkett joins Bob to talk about the role that PostCom plays in the postal space, and the current state of postal finances and operations.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to talk about the National Association of Postal Supervisors' Disciplinary Defense Fund and how this "insurance policy" protects the interests of postal supervisors, managers and postmasters.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Pete Session, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce joins Bob to talk about his perspective on Postal Service operations and his role as chairman of the subcommittee having jurisdiction over the agency. In part, Chairman Sessions reflects on his recent oversight hearing, at which Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Member Ann Fisher joins Bob to talk about the importance of U.S. Postal Service transparency and accountability, and how the PRC plays a constructive and necessary role in striving to meet those dual goals. Ann and Bob also discuss the different tools the PRC has as its disposal to cast light on particular aspects of postal finances and operations.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Joy Sazone, Research Specialist at the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG), talks with Bob about a recently issued OIG "White Paper" on the investment of Postal Service pension funds. Joy was the lead author of the White Paper. In part, the paper suggests that had past CSRS and FERS contributions been invested in stock and bond index funds, the value of the USPS and employee contributions would have grown to $1.2 trillion, rather than the current balance of $298 billion. Under current law, CSRS and FERS contributions must be invested in low-yield U.S. Treasury securities. Joy and Bob discuss the implications of a change in investment strategy.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob Levi discusses the imminent introduction of a Senate companion to H.R. 3005, the Postal Police Reform Act, by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL); the May 17 House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce hearing, at which Postmaster General DeJoy testified; and the Postal Regulatory Commission's ongoing "Public Inquiry" into the USPS Sorting and Processing Center initiative.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Karla Kirby, the U.S. Postal Service's Executive Manager for the Postal Service Health Benefits Program, joins Bob Levi to discuss the new postal health program, which will be effective January 1, 2025. Karla and Bob discuss the status of the emerging program, its implementation, collaborative efforts to educate USPS employees and retirees about it, and what to expect as the plan rolls out.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi to discuss the recently concluded NAPS legislative conference in Washington, DC. Chuck and Bob discuss how conference attendees assessed the different elements of the 2023 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar, congressional engagement, and how NAPS fared on Capitol Hill.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, joins Bob Levi to discuss the postal crime wave and how to reduce it. The escalation in postal-related crime, including assaults on USPS personnel, mail theft and mail fraud, concurrent with the 2020 USPS operational change to limit the law enforcement authority of postal police to the perimeter of USPS-occupied property, raises questions about the agency's commitment to employee safety and mail security. Postal police are the uniformed members of the Postal Inspection Service, the nation's oldest law enforcement entity.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Nick Reaves of Yale Law School's Free Exercise Clinic joins Bob Levi to discuss an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court, Groff v. DeJoy. The case involves the allegation the USPS failed to accommodate the religious beliefs of one of its employees. On behalf of Yale, Nick filed a "friend of the court brief" in support of former Rural Carrier Associate Gerald Groff, whose strict religious practice of not working on Sundays, his Sabbath, conflicted with the delivery of Amazon packages. Groff was disciplined for not showing up for work on Sundays. Nick and Bob discuss how religious observance and the Postal Service's unique mission may be calibrated. The Supreme Court will hear the case on Tuesday, April 18, and can be heard here.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss some early congressional activity relating to the social security equity for many Civil Service Retirement System annuitants; the effect the commencement of collective-bargaining between the NALC and USPS will have on impending pay talks of supervisors, managers, and postmasters, and legislation to provide fairness to these pay talks; the potential threat to the $3 billion provided to the USPS for delivery fleet modernization; and the upcoming NAPS legislative conference in Washington, DC.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, leading members of the California Postal Legislative Coalition join Bob to discuss a variety of issues that impact active and retired postal employees. The participants include: Marilyn Walton, Mary DiGoia and Kathryn Rahming of NAPS, Ron Jones of the NALC, Garry Davis of the APWU, and Clarice Golden on UPMA. The CA Postal Legislative Coalition is a 25-year old alliance of union and management organizations representing the interests of CA postal employees and retirees.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Bob Levi to discuss the chaotic opening act of the 118th Congress, American confidence in the U.S. Postal Service and the agency's challenges. Dr. Kosar as been a periodic guest on NAPS Chat. During Kevin's tenure at the Congressional Research Service, he was its resident expert on the Postal Service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, American University Constitutional Law Professor, Stephen Wermiel, joins Bob Levi to discuss the historical context of the U.S. Postal Service being deployed as the nation's morality police. This issue has emerged from the shadows as the result of the U.S. Department of Justice's recent memorandum declaring that mailing prescription medication that may terminate a pregnancy does not violate the 1873 Comstock Act.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Director reflects on the first days of the 118th Congress and its lasting impact on the postal employee community.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Karen Young, the publisher of the National Association of Postal Supervisors monthly magazine invites Bob Levi to reflect on this past year's legislative and political news, and expectations for next year.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Michiana (Michigan-Indiana) Area Vice President Kevin Trayer, joins Bob Levi to discuss his efforts to alert federal and local elected officials, and impacted communities, about the USPS' ongoing sorting and delivery center consolidation initiative. Bob also provides an update on the Democratic candidates aspiring to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, as well as end-year government funding legislation.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Bob Levi talks a bit about his recent visit to Israel, as well as congressional "lame duck" matters, including mail theft suffered by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a congressional resolution of inquiry relating to the USPS Postal Inspection Service, budget options submitted to Congress by the Congressional Budget Office relating to postal and federal employee benefits, and the Georgia run-off election.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore, joins Bob Levi to discuss the outcome of the 2022 congressional midterm elections and its impact on NAPS members, the November USPS Board of Governors meeting and the recent House postal oversight hearings.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Jay Fritz, OPM Manager of Outreach and Program Services, joins Bob Levi to discuss the 2022 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Open Season, which runs from Monday, Novermber 14, through Monday, December 12. This is the fourth year in a row that Jay Fritz has been on NAPS Chat to educate listeners about the FEHBP Open Season and health plans changes for the 2023 calendar year. Bob kicks off NAPS Chat to briefly discuss the 2022 congressional elections.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Tina Stoll, president of Campaign Finance Consultants, joins Bob Levi to discuss the financial resources needed to run a modern House and Senate campaign, and the strategies employed to raise those funds. In addition, Tina and Bob talk about how candidates seek support from organizations that align with their views.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, John Hatton, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Vice President for Policy and Programs, joins Bob Levi to discuss a variety of retirement and health benefit issues impacting postal and federal employees and annuitants. John and Bob talk about the status of legislation to repeal the Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP); the 2023 federal cost of living adjustment (COLA), how the COLA is calculated, and related legislation; 2023 Federal Employee Health Benefit Program premiums; and the Federal Long-term Care Insurance Program.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, former U.S. Postal Service Senior Vice President for Government Relations Thomas Day joins Bob Levi to discuss the 2001 anthrax attack on the U.S. Postal Service. Approaching the 21st anniversary of the attempt to weaponize U.S. mail with a deadly bacteria, Tom and Bob talk about the steps taken internally and on Capitol Hill to protect USPS employees and the mail system. In addition, Tom and Bob talk about lessons learned and how they may have informed decisions relating to the USPS' role relating to COVID-19 antigen test distribution.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi to discuss congressional oversight of the impending consolidation of postal sorting and delivery facilities, the changing of the guard at the House Oversight and Reform Committee, and reflections on the recently concluded NAPS National Convention.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, which took place during the 68th National Association of Postal Supervisors' Convention, National World War II Museum's Director of Curatorial Affairs, Kimberly Guice joins Bob Levi. Kimberly and Bob discuss how Americans on the home-front communicated with soldiers in the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II. Specifically, Kimberly and Bob talked about the importance of mail to troop morale, how letters were transported from friends and relatives to those fighting for our country abroad, and how mail was delivered to U.S. WW II prisoners of war. The podcast was recorded on-site at the National World War II Museum, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS President Ivan Butts joins Bob Levi to discuss the 68th National Association of Postal Supervisors Convention. Bob and Ivan are on-site, in New Orleans, and talk about last-minute preparations, plans for the convention, and Ivan's reflections on past conventions.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi to discuss a recent Senate Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Security hearing, at which Arizona NAPS Vice President and Chairman of the NAPS Postmasters Committee Jimmy Salmon testified. In addition, Chuck and Bob talk about the placement of GPO/WEP legislation on the House of Representatives "consent calendar," legislation introduced by Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin relating to vote-by-mail, the advocacy day to promote the USPS Shipping Equity Act, recent congressional candidate meetings, and the upcoming NAPS National Convention.
The future is now, within the communications and logistics marketplace. Is the Postal Service ready? During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Eddie Monroy of the NextGen Chamber of Commerce joins Bob Levi to discuss the needs and expectations of a new and growing generation of American entrepreneurs and small businesses, and how the US Postal Service can meet those needs and expectations.
Many challenges confronting today's Postal Service would not be foreign to early postal officials -- high partisanship, operational difficulties, and financial stress . In preparation for July 4, during this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Prof. Joseph Adelman of Framingham State University joins Bob Levi to discuss crucial postal decisions made by American patriots, including choices made by delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, President George Washington and the 2nd U.S. Congress. These decisions resulted in the development of our postal system. Prof. Adelman is currently working on an epic history of the Postal Service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Julia Kurnik, Director of Innovation Startups at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) joins Bob Levi to discuss an innovative postal product being promoted by the WWF. Farmers Post, if implemented, would connect small and family farms with consumers who seek farm-fresh agricultural products, and could generate postal revenue of between $1.5 billion and $6 billion annually.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Kim Weaver, the Director of External Affairs of the Federal Retirement Thrift Savings Investment Board, joins Bob Levi to discuss the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), its importance to postal and federal employee retirement security, and new TSP investment options that commenced on June 1, 2022
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Katie Maddocks, the Legislative and Political Director of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, joins Bob Levi to discuss the current legislative and political landscape as it impacts the postal and federal workforce, the next steps relating to postal legislation, and what to expect in the fall election.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob Levi discusses two recent Ivy League law journal articles that reference NAPS v. USPS, three lawsuits brought against the USPS by 16 states, a handful of environmental groups and a labor union against the USPS, and the new performance standard for first-class parcels.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors resident officers (President Ivan Butts, Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore and Secretary-Treasurer Jimmy Warden) join Bob to talk about witnessing President Joseph Biden signing into law the "Postal Service Reform Act of 2022." They reflect on the occasion, as well their personal and collective experiences engaging with President Biden, and with other invited guests at the White House.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Daniel Piazza of the the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum joins Bob to talk about the museum's recently opened exhibition, "Baseball: America's Home Run." The museum hosted a gala VIP reception to commemorate the opening less than 2 hours after President Joseph Biden signed into law H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Kelly McCartney, the NAPS Area Vice President, whose jurisdiction covers the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska joins Bob to discuss the recently concluded National Association of Postal Supervisors 2022 legislative conference. Over 400 NAPS legislative activists, including postal supervisors, managers and postmasters attended the 2022 Legislative Training Seminar, which took place in the nation's capital.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Annika Christensen, the key postal policy advisor for Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (MI), and Bob discuss the Senate's success in passing H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act, with such overwhelming bipartisan support. Annika also chats about the bicameral collaboration that smoothed the way for passage, as well as key elements in the bill.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore and Bob discuss this week's Senate passage of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, and the bill's imminent arrival at the White House for President Biden's signature.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the landmark decision issued, on February 22, by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The court ruled 3-0 in NAPS' favor. In NAPS v. USPS, the court concluded the Postal Service violated federal law relating to the determination of EAS pay comparability and pay differentials. In addition, the court concluded, as a matter of law, NAPS can represent virtually all EAS level employees (i.e., postal supervisors and other managerial employees, including postmasters).
Bob also provides an update on the status in the Senate of House-passed H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Senior Policy Advisor and Parliamentarian Ethan Van Ness, joins Bob to discuss this past Tuesday's landslide 342-92 vote in favor of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. In addition, Ethan chats about how Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Ranking Republican James Comer (R-KY), along with their Senate counterparts, collaborated on specific elements of the measure to promote its passage.
The House-passed H.R. 3076 could be considered by the full Senate as early next week, because on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) filed a cloture petition, alerting Senators a cloture vote on the bill would come up at 5:30 PM EST on Monday. Invoking cloture clears the way for debate and a vote later in the week. Passage of a cloture vote requires 60 "Yes" votes.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore, joins Bob to discuss next week's projected House vote on H.R. 3076, the Postal Reform Act of 2022. Chuck and Bob also discuss the 2022 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar, which is now less than two months away.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Fran Kritz, veteran health policy reporter and contributor to National Public Radio, Kaiser Health News, the Washington Post and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, joins Bob to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and the U.S. Postal Service's key role in the distribution of at-home COVID-19 antigen tests. Fran is also a former staff reporter for Forbes Magazine and U.S. News and World Report.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Dr. Christopher Shaw, research fellow at the Center for Study of Responsive Law, joins Bob to discuss his new book, First Class: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy and the Corporate Threat. In addition, Bob and Dr. Shaw discuss a variety of postal issues relating to postal governance, and the agency’s relationship with its customers, the President and the private sector.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to continue last week's discussion about NAPS efforts to help the USPS Police Force continue to safeguard Postal personnel, property and customers. In addition, Chuck and Bob talk about the current status of H.R. 3076 (the Postal Reform Act), preparation for the upcoming 2022 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar in the nation's capital, and the importance of the Supervisors Political Action Committee (SPAC) fund.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, USPS Police Captain Butch Maynard, President of NAPS Branch 51, joins Bob to discuss the protection of Postal personnel, property and patrons. In addition, Butch and Bob talk about how 2020 USPS directive impacts postal police officers and how pending legislation, H.R. 5587, the Postal Police Reform Act, seeks to clarify the role of postal police in safeguarding postal personnel, property, and other assets. In addition, Bob provides an update on H.R. 3076, the Postal Reform Act, and presidential nominations.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bill McAllister, Washington correspondent for Linn's Stamp News, joins Bob to discuss a variety of postal issues, including the new Postal Board of Governor nominations, presidential influence on the Postal Service Board of Governors and on postal policy, and reflections relating to the current Postmaster General. Prior to arriving at Linn's Stamp News, Bill was a writer and editor for the Washington Post, and was Washington Bureau Chief for the Media News Group.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Warden joins Bob to discuss a wide variety of postal and NAPS-related issues, including the USPS RIF, NAPS membership, postal legislation and the 2021 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar. Bob also provides an update on the President's two nominees to the USPS Board of Governors, the pending nomination of Postal Regulatory Chair Michael Kubayanda and current activities on Capitol Hill.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Jay Fritz, manager of the Office of Personnel Management's Outreach and Program Services joins Bob to discuss the 2021 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Open Season, which runs from November 8 through December 13. This is the third year in a row Jay has joined Bob to discuss FEHBP Open Season. Jay and Bob discuss what's new in 2022, what factors to take into account when selecting an FEHBP plan, Medicare-eligibility, FEHBP tax-preferred flexible spending accounts, and dental and vision coverage for program participants.
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Vice Chairwoman Ashley Poling joins NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. Vice Chairwoman Poling and Bob discuss the two recent PRC Advisory Opinions relating to the Postal Service's changes to the speed of mail and parcel delivery. In addition, they discuss potential efforts to equip the PRC with enhanced authority over USPS operational changes that may adversely impact mail services to the public.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, joins NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi on the week's episode of NAPS chat. Rep. Pascrell and Bob discuss the Postal Service's pilot program to offer limited check cashing services. In addition, they discuss the current status of HR 3076, the Postal Reform Act of 2021, which is pending before the House Ways and Means Committee, and the congressman's view on postal performance. Rep. Pascrell is a strong advocate for postal accountability and maintains a long and close relationship with postal employees, dating back to his days a mayor of Patterson, New Jersey.
On this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs discusses presidential nominations to postal agencies, a complaint filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission against the Postal Service by 20 state attorney generals, a modest USPS pilot program relating to postal banking, and the status of postal legislation.
Louis Atkins, former national president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors, joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. Louis reflects on his tenure as president (2010-2016), his interactions with past postmaster generals and current issues that confront postal supervisors, manages and postmasters. Bob also summarizes this week's Postal Regulatory Commission Advisory Opinion on the Postal Service's plan to slow-down the delivery of first-class parcels. This USPS plan is intended to be implemented in tandem with the USPS plan to slow-down the delivery of first-class letter mail.
Jeffrey Post, a legislative fixture in the postal world, joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. They discuss how the venue for legislative deliberations (i.e., the House and Senate personal office, the committee office within the respective legislative bodies, or the executive branch) can make a difference. In addition, Jeff and Bob discuss Jeff's experience working for different committee chairs, and his perspective regarding the congressional role in postal matters, and reviewing nominees to the Board of Governors and the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Newly elected National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. They discuss the outcome of pay consultations between the Postal Service and NAPS, the recently concluded NAPS National Convention, planning for the 2022 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar, legislative activities and the Supervisors Political Action Committee (SPAC).
Brian Wagner, retiring President of the National Association of Postal Supervisors joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. They discuss the Postal Service's August 24 pay package for Executive Administrative Schedule (EAS) level employees, reflections on key events that took place during Brian's 5-year tenure as NAPS president, and working with senior USPS leadership.
Ivan Butts, NAPS Executive Vice President, joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. They discuss the protracted wait for congressional action on pending postal legislation, public trust in the Postal Service, postal governance, and reflections on Ivan's seven years as executive vice president that comes to end in a few weeks.
Art Sackler, executive director of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. They discuss a new nationwide survey relating to the Postal Service conducted by Bellwether Citizen Response and commissioned by the Coalition. The survey seeks to assess America's view about the Postal Service and its 10-year strategic plan. The survey queried over 2,000 Americans, finding, in part, a huge majority object to the Postal Service's plan devalue first class mail by slowing it down, a majority are unaware of the imminent postage increase, and that customer satisfaction is waning. Art and Bob take a deep look at the view Americans have a true national treasure.
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), senior member of the House Committee on Oversight & Reform and former chair of the committee's postal subcommittee, joins Bob Levi on this week's episode of NAPS Chat. Rep. Lynch and Bob discuss pending postal legislation and fleet modernization, the representative's and his congressional district's unique affinity to postal issues, and the congressman's views relating to the Postal Regulatory Commission's advisory opinion on reduced delivery standards.
NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi goes solo on this week's edition of NAPS Chat. Bob discusses the Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) Advisory Opinion on the Postal Service's proposal to slow down the mail, which the Commission, in its opinion, characterized as "not ready for prime time," and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro going to federal court to stop the proposal. In addition, Bob talks about the PRC's affirmation of the Postal Service's August 29 rate increase. Bob also chats about committee-approved legislation relating to postal family-medical leave, new legislation to change the method for determining retiree COLAs, and the pending H.R. 3076, the Postal Reform Act of 2021.
NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts, joins Bob Levi on the latest edition of NAPS Chat. They discuss Postal Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where she emphasized the need for enhanced oversight of the USPS' implementation of its 10-year business plan. Also, Ivan and Bob discuss Sen. John Boozman's (R-AR) request for an inspector general review of the USPS reduction-in-force (RIF). In addition, they note this week's publication of the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) cost estimate for HR 3076, the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act. In part, CBO disproves an assertion that the bill negatively impacts non-postal FEHBP participants. Finally, Ivan and Bob reflect on Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's comments on the last episode of NAPS Chat and his threat to seek judicial intervention to derail USPS efforts to revise mail and parcel delivery standards.
Pennsylvania's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to discuss his activities to protect America's mail service. In part, Attorney General Shapiro speaks about his recent Postal Regulatory Commission filing on behalf of 21 states, objecting to the Postal Service's proposed plans to slow the mail and his successful 2020 federal lawsuit that forced the Postal Service to revoke certain operational changes that could have impacted election mail. The Attorney General also raised the possibility of future legal action against the Postal Service should the agency impair prompt and effective mail delivery.
NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi discusses this week's postal news, and is joined by Marilyn Walton, NAPS Western Region Vice President and National Legislative Chair. Marilyn and Bob discuss the California Postal Employees Legislative Coalition, how California NAPS members approach legislative activism, current postal legislation, and the importance of the Postal Service to military veterans and building America's middle class.
NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi discusses this week's postal news, and is joined by Ann Strickland, NAPS' Florida Legislative Chair. Ann and Bob discuss how Florida approaches legislative activism, the inspiration for the state's political engagement, and postal issues of the day. In addition, Ann and Bob talk about how Florida emerged as a major revenue generator for the Supervisor Political Action Committee (SPAC).
Bob Levi discusses this week's postal news, including the Postal Regulatory Commission's public hearing on the Postal Service's proposed new service standards. In addition, Bob takes a deep dive into H.R. 3077, the Postal Service Improvement Act, which was approved by the House Oversight and Reform Committee three weeks ago.
Bob Levi discusses this week's postal-related legislative and regulatory news, as well as taking a dive into H.R. 3076, the Postal Reform Act of 2021.
Senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Pete Sessions (R-TX) joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to discuss the committee's recent approval of postal reform legislation, the legislation's prospects, and the congressman's support of the Postal Service and its employees. In addition, Bob talks with Rep. Sessions about his unique insight into the technical aspects of moving a postal bill, as a former chair of the all-powerful House Rules Committee. The congressman also talks about his relationship with key members of both political parties and how such relationships move bills. Finally, Bob and Rep. Sessions talk about his affinity for the special needs community.
NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to discuss H.R. 3076 and H.R. 3077, legislation the House Committee on Oversight and Reform approved last week. Also, Bob and Ivan talk about this week's introduction of S. 1720, the Senate companion to H.R. 3076. Bob and Ivan discuss recent interactions with key postal legislators, NAPS' participation in advancing legislation to help sustain the USPS, provisions in the legislation important to NAPS and the federal agency, and prospects for the legislation.
Steve Hutkins, the administrator and founder of the "Save the Post Office" website joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to discuss the website's popularity, purpose and impact. Bob and Steve talk about the role that Steve's labor of love has played in the postal narrative and analysis. In addition, Bob discusses two postal bills approved this week by the House Committee on Oversight & Reform, as well as two new Senate-confirmed Postal Board of Governors.
National Association of Postal Supervisors President Brian Wagner joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to discuss a luncheon meeting held this week with the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, the recently announced USPS reduction-in-force, the start of EAS Pay talks, and the upcoming 2021 NAPS National Convention in Texas.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to talk about postal performance, legislative efforts to sustain the agency and his perspective on the future of the Postal Service. The congressman introduced H.R. 2230, the so-called DeJoy Act, which is intended to maintain current postal service standards.Rep. Krishnamoorthi is a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and chairs its Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy.
NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts joins Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to talk about this week's U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on the three pending presidential nominees to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (former Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman, former APWU General Counsel Anton Hajjar, and National Vote at Home Institute CEO Amber McReynolds). In addition, Ivan and Bob review the highlights of the recently concluded 2021 NAPS Virtual Legislative Training Seminar, at which time NAPS was addressed by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chair Gary Peters, House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations Chair Gerry Connolly, and Postal Regulatory Commission Chair Michael Kubayanda.
NAPS Legislative Chairs Jimmy Salmon (AZ) and Steve Shawn (MD), NAPS Branch 157 Legislative Chair Angie Hicks (NC), and NAPS member Carl Walton join Bob Levi on NAPS Chat to talk about preparation for NAPS' 2021 Legislative Training Seminar (LTS). The 2021 NAPS LTS will take place on April 18 and will be followed by "living room lobbying" by NAPS members.
American Enterprise Institute Resident Scholar Kevin Kosar joins Bob Levi to explore the Postal Service's mission-shift in light of the Postmaster General's and Postal Board of Governors' week-old 10-year strategic plan. Kevin and Bob also discuss a number of the plan's legislative and operational proposals.
Kevin Kosar formerly served as vice president at the R Street Institute and analyst at the Congressional Research Service.
National Association of Postal Supervisors Secretary Treasurer Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi to review aspects of the recently unveiled USPS Ten-Year Strategic Plan.
National Association of Postal Supervisors Vice President Ivan Butts joins Bob Levi to promote the 2021 "Virtual" Legislative Training Seminar, to be held on Sunday, April 18. Ivan and Bob encourage NAPS member to register online by early April and preview the LTS' confirmed speakers: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Gary Peters, House Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly and Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Michael Kubayanda
Jay Hibbard, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS), and Bob discuss the emerging importance of the U.S. Postal Service to the alcoholic beverage industry. DISCUS is the national trade association representing leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits products in the U.S. Jay and Bob speak about the distilled spirits industry and the U.S. Postal Service Shipping Equity Act, legislation to enable the Postal Service to transport alcoholic beverages through the mail.
Art Sackler, the executive director of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, and Bob discuss prospects for postal restoration legislation, and the mailers' coalition perspective on postal performance and rate-setting.
NAPS National President Brian Wagner and Bob discuss President Biden's nomination of 3 individuals to fill current vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors, the February 24 House Oversight and Reform Committee postal hearing and the testimony NAPS submitted, and NAPS' new campaign to secure COVID-19 vaccines for postal employees.
National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the increasingly aggressive congressional oversight of the U.S. Postal Service, a Presidents' Day NAPS Legislative Chairs Zoom meeting, new members of the House and Senate committees having jurisdiction over the agency, and the upcoming virtual Legislative Training Seminar.
Newly-elected Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) and Bob discuss the congressman's successful pre-election federal lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service that, in part, made possible successful absentee ballot operations in fall 2020 and reversed a number of USPS' summertime operational changes. In addition, the court ruling (Jones, et.al. v. USPS) lifted a veil of secrecy surrounding postal performance. Also, Rep. Jones and Bob discuss the importance of the USPS to his congressional district and the congressman's legislative priorities.
Rep. Jones represents New York's 17th congressional district and serves on the House Judiciary Committee, Education and Labor Committee, and Ethics Committee.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Greeting Card Association Vice President for Public Affairs Rafe Morrissey and Bob discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting the greeting card industry, as it collaborates with other postal stakeholders in pursing postal legislation and dealing with the pandemic. Rafe also talks about the unique value that greeting cards bring to the American public. In addition, Bob provides the latest congressional news that matter to the postal community.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Jim Sauber discusses his experience as a member of President Biden's Presidential Transition Team for the U.S. Postal Service. Jim talks about the Transition Team's mission, as well as how the 4-member team approached their task and developed recommendations for the new president. Also, Jim references how the Postal Transition Team worked with senior administration officials and senior staff at USPS headquarters.
Jim Sauber is the chief of staff of the National Association of Letter Carriers and has worked at the NALC for 36 years.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) Bob talk about the presidential transition and his experience during the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Also, the congressman discusses Michigan's experience with absentee balloting during the 2020 general election and postal performance. Finally, Rep. Levin and Bob talk about the congressman's postal expectations in the new congress.
Rep. Andy Levin represents a suburban congressional district to the north of Detroit, Michigan. Levin serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the postal mention at President Trump's January 6 rally, recent court-ordered postal performance data, advice for President-elect Biden and congressional leaders, and expectations for a re-imagined NAPS Legislative Training Seminar.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Jason Crow and Bob discuss the impact the Postal Service has on his congressional district, the country and his engagement with postal issues. The conversation was recorded prior to Rep. Crow's heroic efforts to secure the House of Representatives chamber and protect his colleagues from the seditious mob that desecrated the U.S. Capitol. Bob also provides an update of legislative and political news at the beginning of the episode.
Rep. Jason Crow represents the congressional district to the east of Denver, and serves on the House Committee on Armed Service and the House Committee on Small Business.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Berkshire Company President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Fallon and Bob discuss the challenges confronting the postal marketplace, Mark's insight regarding election mail, and how the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) plays a role in influencing postal policy. In addition, Mark and Bob discuss the recent "final rules" issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission that modifies the postage rate-setting process.
In addition to leading the Berkshire Company, a consulting firm specializing in mail and document processing strategies, Mark Fallon is a well-respected thought-leader on postal matters.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, after a 230-year absence, America's first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin, returns to respond to an open letter Bob wrote him. The letter appeared in the December issue of the Postal Supervisor. Former PMG Franklin and Bob discuss the state of the United States postal system and other legacy issues of interest to "the First American."
(Consider this NAPS Chat episode an early holiday gift to NAPS Chat listeners. We thank Bomoseen Vermont Postmaster Robert Crowley for providing an authentic interpretation of one America's most notable patriots.)
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Chuck Mulidore, National Association of Postal Supervisors Secretary Treasurer, joins Bob to discuss the possible timeline for upcoming pay consultations with the U.S. Postal Service, other issues of importance to postal EAS level employees, and the continued postal role in delivering democracy for the State of Georgia in the January 5 senate run-off election.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Jay Fritz, chief of the Office of Personnel Management's Outreach and Program Services joins Bob to discuss the 2020 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Open Season. Jay and Bob discuss what's new in 2021 for FEHBP, what factors to take into account when selecting an FEHBP plan, FEHBP tax-preferred flexible spending accounts, and dental and vision coverage for program participants.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, joins Bob to discuss her committee's postal oversight priorities, pending postal legislation, and what to anticipate in 2021.
Rep. Maloney chairs the House of Representatives committee with jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service. She was first elected to Congress in 1992. One of the issues in her inaugural congressional campaign was the incumbent's advocacy in favor of opening up residential mailboxes to competitors of the U.S. Postal Service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri joins Bob to discuss the importance of the Postal Service to his rural Missouri congressional district, Missouri's experience with absentee balloting in the recent election, and what the Postal Service needs from Congress in 2021.
Rep. Graves is completing his 10th term representing a rural Missouri district, which spans the northern part of the state, from the Mississippi to the Missouri Rivers. The congressman has been a leading advocate for a universal Postal Service, is the ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and was the former chairman of the House Committee on Small Business.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS President Brian Wagner and Bob discuss USPS performance in conveying ballots on behalf of American voters, and Brian's reflections as a member of the USPS National Election Task Force and his recommendations for the USPS' role in future elections.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the USPS' role in the 2020 election, the unfounded attacks on the legitimacy of mailed absentee ballots, and the implication of the election on congressional postal action.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, former Postal Regulatory Commission chairman Dan Blair and Bob discuss ongoing and festering controversies with regard to postal performance, the importance of transparency in postal operations, election implications for the future of the USPS, and the importance of presidential transitions.
Currently, Dan Blair is senior counselor for the Center for Presidential Transition. Over a 17-year period, Dan served on Capitol Hill in senior positions on the House and Senate committees having jurisdiction over the Postal Service. In addition Dan was president and chief executive officer for the National Academy for Public Administration, and senior counselor at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, former Rep. Tom Davis and Bob discuss today's political environment and how it impacts the prognosis for postal legislation in the future. In addition, Tom and Bob talk about the upcoming election, and how Congress should approach oversight of the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Rep. Tom Davis is currently a partner at Holland & Knight, a Washington-based law firm with expertise in government relations. As a member of Congress, Rep Davis served as chairman of the House Oversight Committee and chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Ivan and Bob discuss the impact that the four recent federal court rulings against the USPS, as well as the USPS settlement of a lawsuit filed in a Montana federal court may have on congressional and Postal Regulatory Commission actions, the potential impact that USPS actions and external attacks on the USPS may have on the public's views of the agency, and how to use the NAPS Presidential Candidate Questionnaire and Congressional Scorecard, which appear in the October issue of the Postal Supervisor magazine.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Mark Mellman, a nationally recognized political consultant, and Bob discuss the role that public preference polls play in presidential and congressional campaigns, including the 2020 election. Mark explains how polls work and how to evaluate them. Finally, Mark and Bob talk about a recent public opinion poll that explores public views about the U.S. Postal Service.
Mark Mellman is CEO of the Mellman Group and past president of the American Association of Political Consultants. In addition, Mark has served as a consultant to CBS News and as a presidential debate analyst for The Wall Street Journal and NPR.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi discusses a recent national poll relating to the Postal Service and the 2020 election, four recent U.S. Federal Court decisions that reject the Postal Service's recent operational changes, and misstatements at Tuesday's Presidential debate relating to absentee balloting.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Kevin Forgarty, chief of staff to Rep. Peter King, and Bob discuss how a national or regional crisis, such as COVID-19, impacts congressional operations and legislative advocacy. In addition, Kevin and Bob talk about the importance of timely and reliable mail service during a crisis. Finally, Kevin reflects on winding down Rep. King's office operations, as the congressman will retire at the end of the year. Rep. King has been a three-decade congressional ally of the National Association of Postal Supervisors.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Representative Stephanie Murphy (FL-7) and Bob discuss the congresswoman's unique background, how she became immersed in postal issues and the agency's recent controversies, and her work relating to the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision on the House Ways and Means Committee.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi discuss this week's controversies surrounding the Postal Service, legislative activities relating to the agency, and introducing congressional candidates to NAPS members. Also, it's important on September 11 to recall the terrorist acts that took the lives of 2,977 human beings at New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA; and to recognize the American heroes who rushed into harm's way in an attempt to save them.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Rodney Davis and Bob discuss the partisanship that has ensnared the U.S. Postal Service on Capitol Hill, the congressman's support of the House-passed "Delivering for America Act" (H.R. 8015) and "USPS Fairness Act" (H.R. 2382), and the importance of the Postal Service to rural America and absentee voting.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, veteran House Oversight and Reform Committee member Brenda Lawrence and Bob review this week's volatile committee hearing that featured testimony by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Postal Board of Governors Chair Robert Duncan. In addition, Rep. Lawrence and Bob discuss the House of Representatives passage of the "Delivering for America Act" by a bipartisan vote of 257-150. Rep. Lawrence was elected to Congress after a full career as an employee of the Postal Service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, historian and policy analyst Christopher Shaw and Bob discuss the historical and consequential significance of the U.S. Postal Service finding itself in a high-stakes political battle currently being waged over its operations and mission, on Capitol Hill and around the country.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss White House efforts to undermine the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and how the new Postmaster General's operational and organizational changes could dovetail with those efforts. In addition, Ivan and Bob talk about congressional tactics to repel the assault.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee Legislative Director Mark Stephenson and Bob discuss efforts by Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney to provide financial relief to the U.S. Postal Service in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Mark and Bob talk about a September 17 committee hearing at which Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify; a high-level meeting on Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol that included the Postmaster General; congressional concern about how recent Postal Service operational changes may impact mail service; and the U.S. Postal Service's importance to the 2020 election.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Dr. Tevi Troy discusses the White House deliberative process and how administration policies are formulated. In addition, as the Deputy Assistant and Acting Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy under President George W. Bush, Dr. Troy gives a bit of insight relating to postal policy within the Bush White House. Tevi has authored a number of books and articles on the American presidency, including the recently published, "Fight House: Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump."
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Bob Levi discuss the senator's bipartisan legislation, S. 4174, the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act, the possibility it could be part of a COVID-19 relief bill, and the national importance of timely reliable mail service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi discuss the July 10, 2020, Postal Service memorandum and PowerPoint presentation, which outline proposed operational changes that would negatively impact the timely delivery of U.S. mail. These USPS documents have been reported in numerous national media outlets.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Nonprofit Alliance Vice President for Government Affairs Mark Micali and Bob discuss the importance of the U.S. Postal Service to the nonprofit community, a sector of the United States economy that accounts for about 10% of the American workforce and raises billions of dollars annually for charitable causes.
In honor of our nation's 244th birthday and the Postal Service's epic relationship to the founding of the USA, postal historian Steve Kochersperger and Bob discuss the fascinating role that the colonial, revolutionary and gilded era postal department played in the growth of our nation. Steve is a 37-year employee of the USPS and former Pennsylvania postmaster. Steve is conducting graduate work in American history, focusing on the revolutionary era post office.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Chuck Mulidore and Bob discuss the impact that COVID-19 has had on NAPS operations, pending congressional postal relief legislation and vote-by-mail.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Bob discuss the importance of vote-by-mail, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the congressman and Bob discuss unfounded misinformation that could threaten the election process. Rep. Raskin serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Administration, the committee having jurisdiction over federal elections. The congressman is also a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, House Judiciary Committee and House Rules Committee.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Ivan and Bob discuss H.R. 7015, the bipartisan Postal Preservation Act, and efforts to derail vote-by-mail.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, PRC Commissioner Mark Acton and Bob discuss how Mark's 15-year PRC tenure and political background inform his outlook on changes being experienced by the USPS. In addition, Commissioner Acton talks about the PRC's role in defining universal mail service, providing legislative recommendations to Congress and the President, and evaluating postal rates and postal performance.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, President Wagner and Bob discuss newly introduced legislation, the Postal Preservation Act (H.R. 7015); the postponement of the 2020 NAPS National Convention; and preparing for the arrival of new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bill McAllister and Bob reflect on the 1992 hiring and on-boarding of former Postmaster General Marvin Runyon, the last postmaster general hired from the private sector. From this historical perspective, Bob and Bill discuss lessons learned as newly hired Postmaster General Louis DeJoy transitions into Postal Headquarters. Bill McAllister has reported on postal issues for over 40 years.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. King and Bob discuss the creation of the Postal Preservation Caucus, how his experience as past chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee informs him of the vital importance of the USPS, and what Americans can do to ensure that the Postal Service is not victimized by those out to harm and belittle it. (Rep. King with officers of NAPS Branch 202 at the recent Legislative Training Seminar)
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob and Ivan discuss pivotal news impacting the future of the U.S. Postal Service -- the USPS Board of Governors hiring Louis DeJoy as the 75th Postmaster General, the resignation of USPS Governor David Williams, the newly-released Government Accountability Office report on a sustainable USPS business model, and NAPS legislative efforts regarding USPS sustainability in the midst of COVID-19.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob shares a recording of a Thursday, April 30 press conference at which time House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney announces the creation of the Postal Preservation Caucus. Maloney is joined by House Government Operations Subcommittee Chair Gerry Connolly and Rep. Peter King. They discuss strategies to deal with White House opposition to postal relief efforts and Senate issues with postal assistance.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Charlie Moskowitz, chief legislative counsel to former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) when she was ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Bob discuss the Postal Service's precarious financial condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative relief efforts, and a grassroots/grasstops initiative to promote the USPS. Charlie is presently Executive Vice President of the Signal Group, a Washington-based public policy and public affairs organization.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Ivan and Bob discuss a recently released Pew Research Center survey that found Americans awarded the U.S. Postal Service a 91% favorability rating -- the highest rating of any federal agency. In addition, Ivan and Bob talk about the disconnect between postal popularity and the White House's ill-considered objection to emergency COVID-19 assistance to the Postal Service.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Bob discuss the current financial and operational crisis confronting the U.S. Postal Service, as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the chairman and Bob discuss congressional actions to help the Postal Service and the vital need for the entire postal community to become relentless advocates on behalf of the Postal Service and the essential services the agency provides to our Nation.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts leads a discussion with the other NAPS Resident Officers (President Brian Wagner and Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mulidore) on the organization's advocacy on behalf of EAS Level postal employees, as the U.S. Postal Service confronts the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion includes legislative activities that impact the USPS.
During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob and Ivan discuss the congressional coronavirus economic stimulus package (H.R. 748) that passed the Senate by a 96-0 vote on Wednesday and the House by voice vote today. NAPS Chat was recorded as the House was completing debate on the bill.
Due to the enduring coronavirus pandemic, this week's episode has been recorded remotely (i.e., Bob from his home office and Ivan from his). Bob and Ivan discuss newly introduced legislation by Sen. Amy Klobuchar to expand "vote-by-mail". S. 3529, "the National Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act," can help ensure the security and reliability of this year's elections. In addition, Ivan provides a review of the 2020 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar in Washington.
During this week's episode, numerous NAPS members who participated the March 8-11 legislative conference, in Washington, share their experiences meeting with members of Congress in advancing the National Association of Postal Supervisors' legislative priorities. (CA Legislative Chair April Trevena is pictured.)
During this week's episode, Bob and his guests discuss the March 4 congressional introduction of H.R. 6085, the Postal Supervisors and Managers Fairness Act and NAPS' new membership initiative. A link is provided to NAPS' official release upon introduction of H.R. 6085 here.
During this week's episode, Bob and Ivan discuss the aggressive legislative agenda being promoted during the upcoming National Association of Postal Supervisors Legislative Training Seminar (LTS), which takes place March 8-11, 2020. More than 600 LTS delegates will be going to Capitol Hill to engage their members of Congress during the legislative conference.
During this week's episode, Bob and his guest, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees Director of Legislative and Political Affairs John Hatton, discuss President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2021 federal budget, submitted to Congress this past Monday. Their chat focuses on those provisions that directly impact postal and federal employees and retirees.
During the week's episode Bob discusses House of Representatives passage of HR 2382, the USPS Fairness Act, the NAPS filing before the Postal Regulatory Commission relating to a new rate-setting regime and this week's USPS Board of Governors meeting.
During this week's episode, Bob, Karen and Corina (L-R) discuss the multiple channels that NAPS uses to communicate with its members. NAPS embraces three primary means of sharing key information within and outside its membership; besides person-to-person communication, hard-copy and digital/social media engagement are essential. This week's guests discuss how to make the most effective use of each.
This week NAPS Chat hosts the three resident officers of NAPS: President Brian Wagner, Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Secretary Treasurer Chuck Mulidore. The January 24 edition focuses on the recently released U.S. Postal Service's 5-Year Strategic Plan. Special attention is paid to the plan's reference to Pay-for-Performance, increasing employee engagement and legislative recommendations on health and retirement. Link to USPS 5-Year Strategic Plan
This week's NAPS Chat, focuses on the institutional difficulty that Congress has with such vexing legislative issues as postal reform and how NAPS members can confront those challenges. In addition, Kevin and Bob discuss the newly released US Postal Service Five-Year Strategic Plan.
During this week's NAPS Chat, Bob discusses NAPS' legislative, regulatory and political plans for 2nd term of the 116th Congress
During this week's NAPS Chat, Ivan and Bob answer questions sent in by NAPS members, including queries about potential legislative champions in 2020, EAS overtime pay, SPAC's apparent partisan lean, the importance of the Postal Board of Governors, and the threat of postal privatization.
This week's NAPS Chat focuses on reviewing some of the major NAPS events over the past year and our expectations for 2020. We also discuss Capitol Hill news from the final legislative week of 2019, including Rep. Mark Meadows' announcement that he will not seek re-election next November and a change in the law that may reduce FEHBP premiums for the next open season.
This week's NAPS Chat focuses on the importance of the National Postal Museum to the past, present and future of our American postal system. In addition, we discuss important artifacts acquired and programs conducted by the museum. Also, reference is made to President Trump's nomination, this week, of William Zollar to the US Postal Service Board of Governors.
This week's NAPS Chat focuses on the newly proposed Postal Rate and Classification System, the system that may determine postage rates for the next 5 years. We also discuss the Postal Service's Universal Service Obligation. Finally, NAPS Chat provides information relating to postal-related bills and the status of H.R. 2382, legislation to repeal of the USPS retiree health prefunding requirement, which has surpassed the 290-cosponsor mark.
Election of Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) as new chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, the recent Postal Board of Governors meeting relating to USPS finances, cosponsor update on legislation to repeal requirement to prefund future retiree health benefits, and the status of NAPS' lawsuit against USPS for failing to comply with the EAS compensation law.
Update on NAPS legal action against the USPS, relating to the consultative process; ongoing legislative activities; and NAPS Legislative Training Seminar and National Convention planning.
On the November 8 edition of NAPS Chat, I am joined by Jay Fritz, Program Manager for Healthcare & Insurance at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. We discuss navigating the 2019 Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) "Open Season," which runs from November 11 though December 9.
On the November 1 edition of NAPS Chat, Bob Levi, National Association of Postal Supervisors Legislative and Political Directors is joined by Randy Broz, co-founder of Angerholzer-Broz Political Consulting. Inasmuch as we are currently one year away from the 2020 national election, we discuss the resources and engagement necessary to run an effective congressional election campaign, and engaging NAPS members in the process.
This week's NAPS Chat reaches the half-century mark, it's 50th edition. On the October 25 edition, I am joined by the National Association of Postal Supervisors' Executive Board Legislative Committee. We discuss legislative activism in the field and the 2020 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar.
On the October 17 edition of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and I pay tribute to Rep. Elijah Cummings, the late chairman of the House Committee on Oversight & Reform, who passed away early this morning. In addition, we talk about incoming acting chair, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), and the retirement of Postmaster General Megan Brennan.